This series of program activities is designed to facilitate participation, group cooperation, and self-disclosure. They range from 5-30 minutes, and can be used to open a class session or provide a "change of pace" later in the session. We provide three age-appropriate versions of this resource. Please specify: grades 4-6, grades 7-12, or adult.

60+ activities

GG1

What Was On Your Mind?

This is an important workbook, a cognitive restructuring approach to gang activity. It identifies selected negative mind-sets common to people involved in gang activity. Then, it addresses each of these in a systematic fashion, identifying weaknesses in that form of thinking, and offering guidance in the development of a more positive outlook.

8

GG2

Who Wants to be at Risk?

This workbook addresses the "risk factors" approach to gang involvement and activity. The objective is for participants to identify their own highest risk factors and acknowledge that these risks and temptations will be out there, waiting, upon release.

10

GG3

What do You Need? (needs and gangs)

This workbook — based on Maslow's needs hierarchy theory — addresses gang activity from the point of view of underlying needs. These needs won't go away; they will be present when the participants return to the community. Thus this workbook guides the participants in finding alternative — and better — ways to meet those needs than gangs or crime.

6

GG4

Living a Nonviolent Life #1

This workbook provides the opportunity for clients to identify their triggers and highest personal risk factors for violence and to develop strategies to avoid these issues or to cope more effectively in the future.

10

GG5

Living a Nonviolent Life #2

This workbook provides a more focused opportunity for clients to identify their highest risk factors for violence (the people, places, things, times, and situations where they are at highest risk). It guides the development of "environmental control" strategies to avoid these issues and situations — and helps clients explore their options.

8

GG7

Understanding Yourself #1

This is the "risk factors" approach to aggression and violence. It provides an alternative approach to violence issues and behavior, addressing community and family risk factors for violence.
For clients, the objective is to begin by increasing awareness. Then, clients can admit that they have these risk factors and acknowledge that these risks and temptations will be out there, waiting, upon release.

9

GG8

Understanding Yourself #2

This is the "risk factors" approach to passive-aggressive behavior, which can often lead to violence and other problems. It provides an alternative approach to violence, addressing community and family risk factors for this passive-aggressive behavior. (Approach is similar to GG7, above)

5

GG9

Reducing Your Risk (for females between the ages of 15 and 22)

This workbook addresses the "risk factors" approach to gang involvement and activity for females.

6

GG11

Program Activities

This series of 60 program activities is designed to facilitate participation, group involvement and cooperation, and self-disclosure. Many are based on traditional experiential learning approaches. They range from 10-50 minutes, and provide a "change of pace" for participants and staff.

GG12

What Do You Think? (women's materials)

This series of 18 program activities is designed to facilitate participation, group cooperation, and self-disclosure.

9

GG13a

Gang Intervention Resources: Where Are Your Old Friends Today?

Participants will explore options leading to gang involvement—or staying away from gangs.

2

GG13b

Gang Intervention Resources: Criminal Values

Participants will explore areas of criminogenic thinking and values.

2

GG13c

Gang Intervention Resources: Respect

Participants will explore issues relating to "respect." This activity addresses the respect they give others, as well as ways to gain respect from others.

The prospect of earning a lot of money through drug dealing can be very appealing. This lesson asks participants to "do the math" in comparing the risks and rewards of drug dealing with the risks and rewards of earning money legitimately.